Monthly gatherings bring hundreds of women together for faith and fellowship at a downtown Oklahoma City church.

Now the Esther Women luncheon series has evolved into a charitable outreach, as well.

Jane Jayroe Gamble created the nondenominational Christian series for those seeking inspiration, friendship and personal faith development. In its 16th year, the luncheons held at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 222 NW 15, draw large crowds of women on a regular basis. A waiting list of people seeking tickets has become routine.

At Wednesday's January luncheon, Gamble told those gathered that they had come to the aid of their sisters in the community not once but twice.

Gamble said the first Esther Awards of Courage were presented to three women in May 2019, which concluded the series' 2018-19 season. She said the women who were honored were participants in ReMerge Oklahoma, a comprehensive female diversion program that offers an alternative to incarceration for pregnant women or mothers with young children who have nonviolent felony convictions.

Gamble said the award, like the luncheon series, was named after the biblical heroine Esther because she was known for her courage.

She said as a special surprise, she took donations from luncheon attendees and presented the money to the ReMerge honorees. Gamble said the award funds also included the honorariums that many of the luncheon speakers donated back to the luncheon program.

More recently, she took numerous boxes of books to ReMerge's new program headquarters at 823 N Villa. The books had been donated by luncheon attendees over a period of several months.

An enthusiastic burst of applause greeted the former Miss America and broadcast journalist when she said the women at ReMerge were given 430 books to line the shelves of the library at their new facility.

"Each book is stamped with the Esther women logo," Gamble said.

She said the luncheon series didn't begin as a way to give back, but she was pleased when she came up with opportunities to make that very thing happen.

"We're not a church. We're all different denominations of churches and everyone does service in their church," she said. "But a project that helps us accept other sisters in this community in ways that we can help just expands our faith and helps other people."

Terri Woodland, ReMerge executive director, said the program is grateful to Esther Women for donating books to ReMerge mothers.

She said the books included topics for everyone and also included children's books.

"The books filled our empty bookshelves, and the mothers are so excited," Woodland said.

"They are allowed to take the books, read them and keep them or return them for other mothers to read. ReMerge mothers have a required reading book list, but are also allowed to select books of their choice to read. Now, thanks to Esther Women, they have a large selection to choose from.”

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Woodland said a poignant moment occurred when Gamble delivered the donated books. She said one of the ReMerge moms got excited when she saw Gamble's book "Devote 40 Days" because she had read the book and loved it.

"She then got to meet the author personally as Jane was right there delivering the books," Woodland said. "We are grateful to have these books as a reminder to our mothers that other women in the community care about them and are sending prayers and well wishes for their journey."

Jane Jayroe Gamble, founder of the Esther Women luncheon series, helps a ReMerge Oklahoma partcipant gather books donated by Esther Women luncheon attendees. [St. Luke's United Methodist Church] Each faith-themed and inspirational book that Esther Women luncheon attendees donated to ReMerge bears the luncheon series logo. [St. Luke's United Methodist Church] One of the book shelves at ReMerge Oklahoma is filled with faith-themed and inspirational books donated to the program by Esther Women luncheon series attendees. [St. Luke's United Methodist Church] Jane Jayroe Gamble, founder of the Esther Women luncheon series, and Terri Woodland, ReMerge Oklahoma excutive director, left, are shown at ReMerge as Gamble presents donations of faith-themed and inspirational books to the women's program. [St. Luke's United Methodist Church]

Carla Hinton

Carla Hinton, an Oklahoma City native, joined The Oklahoman in 1986 as a National Society of Newspaper Editors minority intern. She began reporting full-time for The Oklahoman two years later and has served as a beat writer covering a wide...
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